Can I Qualify for Long-Term Disability Benefits If I Tested Positive for Coronavirus / COVID-19?
Posted in Personal Injury on July 17, 2020
COVID-19 has had a major financial impact on Americans across the country. From forced shutdowns of workplaces to mass lay-offs to lost wages due to coronavirus recovery, the pandemic has many COVID-19 patients wondering what benefits they may qualify for to reduce this economic burden.
If you tested positive for COVID-19 and had to stop working in order to recover from the virus, you may be eligible for disability benefits in certain circumstances.
What Are Short and Long-Term Disability Benefits?
If you work, you likely have disability insurance through your employer. These benefits provide compensation to you if you have to leave work for a medical reason, such as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Short and long-term disability benefits are appropriate for different situations.
- Short-term disability benefits provide income replacement when you have to leave work for a short period of time due to a medical diagnosis. Your policy will likely dictate how long you can continue to receive these benefits. The amounts of these benefits may also vary.
- Long-term disability benefits provide income replacement if you must leave work for longer periods of time due to an ongoing medical condition. You may need to be out of work for a certain period of time for your eligibility for these benefits to begin. The exact amount of compensation you will receive will also depend on a number of factors, such as the policy requirements and your current income.
If your coronavirus diagnosis is keeping you away from work for a long period of time, these benefits may help supplement your income until you can return to work.
COVID-19 and Short-Term Disability Benefits
If you are battling COVID-19, you may qualify for short-term disability benefits. To qualify for short-term benefits, you must be unable to work due to a medical condition. Your doctor will likely diagnose you with COVID-19 and state you are unable to return to work in order to limit the spread of the virus.
The necessary quarantine for COVID-19 patients should be enough for you to qualify for short-term disability if it prevents you from performing your job duties. However, if you can telecommute to work, it may be more difficult to prove your need for benefits. If you have severe symptoms, you may be able to prove they prevent you from doing your job.
Long-Term Disability Benefits During COVID-19
Long-term disability benefits for COVID-19 can be more difficult to establish. If you do not recover from the virus by the time the waiting period for long-term benefits ends, you may be able to apply if you contracted complications from COVID-19.
If you have a lengthy waiting period, it can be more difficult to prove your need for disability benefits. You will need to prove that you developed a chronic illness that prevents you from returning to work for at least three months.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a COVID-19 Disability Claim?
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on many of our lives, leading to long-lasting complications, medical bills, lost wages, and more. While disability insurance may help out-of-work COVID-19 patients, applying for these benefits can be difficult without a Kansas City personal injury attorney advocating for your best interests.
If you believe you may qualify for short or long-term disability benefits after a coronavirus diagnosis, contact your attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will help you prepare your application, gather the necessary evidence, and fight aggressively for your right to compensation each step of the way.